US8016096B2 - Vehicle conveyor with maintenance support device - Google Patents

Vehicle conveyor with maintenance support device Download PDF

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Publication number
US8016096B2
US8016096B2 US12/442,101 US44210107A US8016096B2 US 8016096 B2 US8016096 B2 US 8016096B2 US 44210107 A US44210107 A US 44210107A US 8016096 B2 US8016096 B2 US 8016096B2
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United States
Prior art keywords
frame
conveyor
support member
generally
belt
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Expired - Fee Related, expires
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US12/442,101
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English (en)
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US20090272622A1 (en
Inventor
Brian W. Rudge
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Volvo Construction Equipment AB
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Volvo Construction Equipment AB
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Assigned to VOLVO CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT AB reassignment VOLVO CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT AB ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: RUDGE, BRIAN W.
Publication of US20090272622A1 publication Critical patent/US20090272622A1/en
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
    • B65G17/00—Conveyors having an endless traction element, e.g. a chain, transmitting movement to a continuous or substantially-continuous load-carrying surface or to a series of individual load-carriers; Endless-chain conveyors in which the chains form the load-carrying surface
    • B65G17/02—Conveyors having an endless traction element, e.g. a chain, transmitting movement to a continuous or substantially-continuous load-carrying surface or to a series of individual load-carriers; Endless-chain conveyors in which the chains form the load-carrying surface comprising a load-carrying belt attached to or resting on the traction element

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to conveyors, and more particularly to conveyors for construction vehicles such as road milling machines.
  • a road milling machine basically includes a mainframe with a rotatable drum for cutting roadway material.
  • One or more conveyors are generally provided to transport material from a location proximal to the cutting drum to a remote location for removal, such as onto a dump truck or other material transport vehicle.
  • the conveyor is disconnected from the mainframe and placed upon a base surface.
  • these vehicle conveyors are relatively heavy, it is generally difficult to manipulate the conveyor during such maintenance procedures, such that a crane or similar device is often required to perform such activities.
  • the present invention is a support device for a vehicle conveyor, the conveyor being removably connectable with a vehicle.
  • the conveyor includes a frame, the frame having front and rear ends, a centerline extending between the two ends, and first and second sides extending between the two ends and located on opposing sides of the centerline, and an endless belt disposed generally about the frame.
  • the support device comprises at least one support member having a first end connected with the frame and a second end disposable upon a base surface. The at least one support member is configured to retain the entire conveyor spaced generally above the base surface so as to facilitate removal of the belt from the frame and alternatively facilitate installation of the belt upon the frame.
  • the present invention is a conveyor for a construction vehicle.
  • the conveyor comprises a frame removably connectable with the vehicle, the frame including front and rear ends, a centerline extending between the two ends, and first and second sides extending between the two ends and located on opposing sides of the centerline.
  • An endless belt is disposed generally about the frame and at least one support member has a first end connected with the frame and a second end disposable upon a base surface.
  • the at least one support member is configured to retain the entire conveyor spaced generally above the base surface so as to facilitate removal of the belt from the frame and alternatively facilitate installation of the belt upon the frame.
  • the present invention is a conveyor for a construction vehicle, the conveyor comprising a frame removably connectable with the vehicle, the frame including front and rear ends, first and second sides extending between the two ends, and upper and lower surfaces extending between the front and rear ends.
  • An endless belt is disposed generally about the frame.
  • a pair of generally L-shaped support members each have a generally vertical portion connected with the frame first side and a generally horizontal portion extending generally beneath the frame lower surface and being disposable upon a base surface. The two support members are configured to retain the entire frame and the belt spaced generally above the base surface so as to facilitate removal of the belt from the frame and alternatively facilitate installation of the belt upon the frame.
  • FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a road milling machine including a conveyor with a support device in accordance with the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the conveyor and the support device
  • FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the conveyor and the support device
  • FIG. 4 is a front end view of the conveyor and the support device.
  • FIG. 5 is a more diagrammatic top plan view of the conveyor and support device
  • FIG. 6 is an enlarged, broken-away view of the conveyor and a first end of an alternative construction of a support member of the support device.
  • FIG. 7 is a broken-away side plan view of one support member of another alternative construction of the support member, showing the support member in a use position and in a storage position (in phantom).
  • FIGS. 1-7 a support device 10 for a construction vehicle conveyor 12 , the conveyor 12 being removably connectable with a vehicle V, preferably a road milling machine, so as to be disposable upon a base surface S.
  • the conveyor 12 has a center of mass CM and includes a frame 14 and an endless belt 16 .
  • the frame 14 has a central longitudinal axis 15 , first and second ends 14 a , 14 b spaced apart along the axis 15 , first and second sides 18 A, 18 B extending between the two ends 14 a , 14 b and located on opposing sides of the axis 15 , and upper and lower surfaces 19 A, 19 B.
  • the endless belt 16 is disposed upon the frame 14 so as to extend about the first and second ends 14 a , 14 b .
  • the support device 10 basically comprises at least one and preferably two support members 20 spaced apart along the conveyor axis 15 , each support member 20 having a first end 21 connected with the first frame side 18 A and a second end 22 disposable upon a base surface S, i.e., when the frame 14 is disconnected or separate from the vehicle V.
  • the support member(s) 20 are configured to retain the entire conveyor 12 (i.e., as opposed to a portion or section of the conveyor) spaced above the base surface S when the conveyor 12 is separate from the vehicle frame or body B.
  • the one or more support members 20 are each configured to retain the frame 14 at about a vertical distance d VN (e.g. d V1 , d V2 ) from the base surface S so as to provide a working space WS between the frame lower surface 19 B and the base surface S, as indicated in FIG. 3 .
  • d VN e.g. d V1 , d V2
  • the belt 16 is laterally displaceable generally over the frame second side 18 B in opposing lateral directions L 1 , L 2 generally perpendicular to the central axis 15 (see FIG. 5 ), while the support member(s) 20 retain the frame 14 spaced above the base surface S.
  • the belt 16 may either be separated or removed from the frame 14 or alternatively installed upon the frame 14 .
  • the support member(s) 20 basically prevent lateral displacement of the belt 16 over the frame first side 18 A.
  • providing the working space WS enables a worker to access lower sections of the frame 14 or other conveyor components to perform repair or maintenance thereon.
  • each support member 20 has a first, upper portion 24 that is preferably fixedly connected with the frame side 18 A and a second, lower portion 26 extending at least partially below the frame lower surface 19 B.
  • the support device 10 is preferably constructed such that the support lower portion 26 remains positioned beneath the frame 14 during use of the conveyor 12 .
  • the support member(s) 20 each remain in a fixed position, ready for use to support the conveyor 12 , even when the conveyor 12 is connected with the construction vehicle V and is being used to transport material.
  • the support device 10 is not required to be attached or otherwise manipulated to a usage configuration, and the conveyor 12 can merely be disconnected from the vehicle body B and is held in a supported position.
  • the support member first ends 21 may be fixedly connected with the frame 14 by any appropriate means, such as by welding, rivets, etc.
  • the support members 20 may each be removably connected with the frame 14 , so as to be separable from the conveyor 12 , such as by means of threaded fasteners, etc.
  • each support member 20 may be configured to releasably connect with the conveyor first side 18 A, such that the support device 10 is readily connected with the frame 14 to perform maintenance on the conveyor 14 and is otherwise separate from the frame 14 during use of the conveyor 14 .
  • Such releasable connection may be achieved by forming the support member first ends 21 with a male portion or prong 25 that is receivable within a female portion or socket 27 on the conveyor frame 14 , as depicted in FIG. 6 , or by any other appropriate means.
  • each support member 20 may be pivotally connected with the frame first side 18 A such that the support member 20 is angularly moveable or displaceable about an axis 29 between a storage position P S and a use position P U , as shown in FIG. 7 .
  • each support member 20 is preferably constructed such that each first portion 24 extends generally vertically (i.e., when oriented in a usage position or on the base surface S) and has a first end 24 a connected with the frame side 18 A and an opposing second end 24 B.
  • Each support member second portion 26 extends generally horizontally, thus perpendicularly with respect to the first portion 24 , is connected with the first portion second end 24 b and is disposable upon the base surface S.
  • the body second portion 26 is spaced vertically downwardly from or beneath the frame lower surface 19 B and extends generally between and is spaced below the frame first and second sides 18 A, 18 B.
  • the support member first and second portions 24 , 26 are integrally formed, as described below, but may be formed of two or more connected together members or parts.
  • the support members 20 each preferably include a generally cantilever body 30 having a first end 30 a connected with the frame 14 and a second, free end 30 b disposable upon the base surface S.
  • Each cantilever body 30 is preferably formed as a bended bar 32 providing the support member first and second portions 24 , 26 , which is most preferably generally L-shaped.
  • the support device 10 preferably includes two support members 20 , specifically first and second support members 23 A, 23 B.
  • the first and second support members 23 A, 23 B are spaced apart along the conveyor axis 15 and each has a first end 21 connected with the frame first side 18 A at separate positions or locations. More specifically, each one of the first and second support members 23 A, 23 B is connected with the frame first side 18 A at a separate connection point P C1 , P C2 , respectively.
  • the two connection points P C1 , P C2 are spaced apart generally along the frame centerline 15 and the frame center of mass CM is disposed generally between the two support member connection points P C1 , P C2 .
  • each support member 23 A, 23 B also functions to prevent rotation or tipping of the conveyor 12 about the center of mass CM, such that the support device 10 retains the conveyor 12 spaced above the base surface S with a relatively high degree of stability.
  • the support device 10 of the present invention may include only a single, appropriately constructed and positioned (i.e., centrally) support member 20 , or three or more axially spaced support members 20 .
  • the support device 10 may include a single support member 20 connected at least generally proximal to the frame center of mass CM and having a lower portion or base of sufficient width to balance the weight of the frame 14 upon the base surface S to prevent toppling of the conveyor 12 onto the surface S (structure not shown).
  • the endless belt 16 is rotatable about the frame 14 so as to generally displace along the frame central axis 15 , and has upper portions 16 a disposed generally above the frame upper surface 19 A and lower portions 16 b disposed generally below the frame lower surface 19 B.
  • the conveyor 12 preferably further includes a drive roller 34 rotatably connected with the frame first end 14 and an idler roller 36 rotatably connected with the frame second end 14 b and spaced axially from the drive roller 34 .
  • the belt 16 extends circumferentially about the drive and idler rollers 32 , 34 , at least one of the rollers 32 or 34 being adjustably moveable generally along the axis 15 so as to decrease a spacing distance between the two rollers 34 , 36 .
  • the belt 16 is slidable off of the rollers 34 , 36 and is displaceable over the frame second side 18 B to separate the belt 16 from the frame 14 while the support member(s) 10 retain the frame 14 spaced above the base surface S.
  • the conveyor 12 is preferably mounted beneath the lower surface B L of the milling machine body or “mainframe” B so as to have an inlet end 12 a located adjacent to a cutting drum D and an outlet end 12 b disposed within the mainframe B.
  • the conveyor 12 is an “intake” conveyor which removes material cuttings from about the drum D and transports the cuttings to a discharge conveyor, preferably a folding conveyor F, which deposits the cuttings in a dump truck or similar vehicle.
  • the conveyor 12 is fixedly connected with the vehicle V during use, as opposed to being movably connected with the frame B such as the discharge conveyor F, which typically pivots laterally to more readily control discharge of the material cuttings.
  • the support device 10 of the present invention may alternatively be used with the folding conveyor F or even on another type of construction vehicle, such as for example, a material transport vehicle (MTV) used in road paving operations.
  • MTV material transport vehicle

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Framework For Endless Conveyors (AREA)
  • Handcart (AREA)
US12/442,101 2006-09-29 2007-10-01 Vehicle conveyor with maintenance support device Expired - Fee Related US8016096B2 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US12/442,101 US8016096B2 (en) 2006-09-29 2007-10-01 Vehicle conveyor with maintenance support device

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US84818006P 2006-09-29 2006-09-29
US12/442,101 US8016096B2 (en) 2006-09-29 2007-10-01 Vehicle conveyor with maintenance support device
PCT/US2007/021118 WO2008042352A2 (fr) 2006-09-29 2007-10-01 Convoyeur pour engin de travaux publiques à dispositif support d'entretien

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US20090272622A1 US20090272622A1 (en) 2009-11-05
US8016096B2 true US8016096B2 (en) 2011-09-13

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US (1) US8016096B2 (fr)
DE (1) DE112007002209T5 (fr)
WO (1) WO2008042352A2 (fr)

Citations (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1596803A (en) * 1925-04-04 1926-08-17 Callahan Robert Lee Transportation machinery
US1603633A (en) * 1926-10-19 Conveyeb
US2389779A (en) 1944-11-17 1945-11-27 Eugene H Heller Coal truck unloading device
US2725757A (en) 1953-04-07 1955-12-06 Joy Mfg Co Self-training belt conveyor terminal pulley
US3122251A (en) * 1962-06-15 1964-02-25 Walter E Gardipee Unloading conveyor for dump trucks
US3245159A (en) 1963-05-10 1966-04-12 Ulmac Equipment Company Road trencher
US3485304A (en) * 1967-06-02 1969-12-23 Robert C Daymon Discharge conveyor drive and controls for sod rolling machine
US3590983A (en) 1968-06-06 1971-07-06 Rotec Industries Concrete conveyor
US3709360A (en) * 1971-01-15 1973-01-09 R Baker Mechanized collection of solid waste material
US3991494A (en) 1975-01-23 1976-11-16 The Charles Machine Works, Inc. Conveyor attachment for spoils removal from a trench digging machine
EP0185023B1 (fr) 1984-06-25 1988-10-12 Rotec Industries, Inc. Convoyeuse extensible montee sur un vehicule
US5297914A (en) * 1992-06-01 1994-03-29 Lloyd Ash Mobile ramp for unloading trucks
US20030010600A1 (en) 2001-04-30 2003-01-16 Blaw-Knox Construction Equipment Corporation Mobile Conveyor for paving vehicles

Patent Citations (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1603633A (en) * 1926-10-19 Conveyeb
US1596803A (en) * 1925-04-04 1926-08-17 Callahan Robert Lee Transportation machinery
US2389779A (en) 1944-11-17 1945-11-27 Eugene H Heller Coal truck unloading device
US2725757A (en) 1953-04-07 1955-12-06 Joy Mfg Co Self-training belt conveyor terminal pulley
US3122251A (en) * 1962-06-15 1964-02-25 Walter E Gardipee Unloading conveyor for dump trucks
US3245159A (en) 1963-05-10 1966-04-12 Ulmac Equipment Company Road trencher
US3485304A (en) * 1967-06-02 1969-12-23 Robert C Daymon Discharge conveyor drive and controls for sod rolling machine
US3590983A (en) 1968-06-06 1971-07-06 Rotec Industries Concrete conveyor
US3709360A (en) * 1971-01-15 1973-01-09 R Baker Mechanized collection of solid waste material
US3991494A (en) 1975-01-23 1976-11-16 The Charles Machine Works, Inc. Conveyor attachment for spoils removal from a trench digging machine
EP0185023B1 (fr) 1984-06-25 1988-10-12 Rotec Industries, Inc. Convoyeuse extensible montee sur un vehicule
US5297914A (en) * 1992-06-01 1994-03-29 Lloyd Ash Mobile ramp for unloading trucks
US20030010600A1 (en) 2001-04-30 2003-01-16 Blaw-Knox Construction Equipment Corporation Mobile Conveyor for paving vehicles

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE112007002209T5 (de) 2009-07-30
WO2008042352A3 (fr) 2008-06-19
WO2008042352A2 (fr) 2008-04-10
US20090272622A1 (en) 2009-11-05

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